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Wanindu, Dimuth heroics take Sri Lanka to super six in World Cup qualifiers

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Sri Lanka booked their slot in the Super Six stage of the Cricket World Cup qualifying tournament after a dominant 133-run win over Ireland in their third game on Sunday.

The win sealed Sri Lanka’s spot in the super six stage. Scotland and Oman also advanced to the super six stage after finishing second and third respectively in Group B.

Earlier put into bat first Sri Lanka were in some sort of trouble when they were at 48-2 at the end of the powerplay.

Sri Lanka desperately needing a big partnership saw Dimuth Karunaratne and Sadeera Samarawickrama deliver when the duo mounted a rescue with a solid third-wicket partnership worth 168 to tilt the game back in Sri Lanka’s favour.

Opener Dimuth Karunaratne made a run-a-ball 103 and Sadeera Samarawickrama hit 82 as Sri Lanka compiled an imposing total of 325 all out off 49.5 overs.

Charith Asalanka (38) and Dhananjaya de Silva (42 not out) also chipped in as Ireland sought to limit the damage in the closing overs.

Dimuth notched up his maiden century after 12 years since he debuted.

In reply, Ireland could only manage 192 as Wanindu Hasaranga scalped another five-wicket haul. Besides that, Maheesh Theekshana also took 2/29. This was his third consecutive five-wicket haul in ODIs. With this, Hasaranga equals the world record for most consecutive five-fors in ODIs with Pakistan’s Waqar Younis.

In the post-match presentation, Sri Lanka skipper Dasun Shanaka lauded the boy’s effort especially Dimuth Karunaratne who went on to say opening batter Dimuth Karunaratne is the perfect player to lead their batting order.

“Everything is going in the right direction. We could have performed better with the bat towards the end. Perhaps the aggressive batting from myself and Wanindu didn’t yield the desired results in the latter part of the game,” said Shanaka.

He went on to say that Karunaratne is the perfect player to lead the team from the top of the batting order. Karunaratne scored 103 runs off as many balls, hitting eight boundaries in his innings against Ireland.

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka’s batter Dimuth Karunaratne who brought up his maiden ODI century was awarded ‘Player of the Match’ for his knock of 103, which contributed to a comprehensive win for Sri Lanka by 133 runs.
In the post-match conference, Karunaratne said he wants to make it big when he gets the start.

“Not at all (On whether the chance for ODI hundred had passed him), wanted to continue for the team. That’s what I do. If I get a start, I want to go for the big one. (On the pitch) In the morning, there is something for the bowlers, but when the swing stops we can get some boundaries. I was waiting for that, the first hour was about giving the bowlers respect. I try to apply the same technique, that is what has helped me score heavily in Test cricket. Don’t try to hit them hard, just time them well,” Karunaratne said.

Sri Lanka are all set to face Scotland in their next World Cup Qualifier match on June 27 at Bulawayo.

Sri Lanka: 325 all out in 49.5 overs (Dimuth Karunaratne 103, Sadeera Samarawickrama 82; Mark Adair 4/46, Barry McCarthy 3/56) vs Ireland: 192 all out in 31 overs (Curtis Campher 39, Harry Tector 33; Wanindu Hasaranga 5/79; Maheesh Theekshana 2-29)

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O3 Deo Spray Enters Sri Lanka’s Men’s Grooming Market with a Bold, Sporty Twist

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ICL Brands (Private) Limited, a subsidiary of the Capital Maharaja Group, has officially launched the all-new O3 Deo Spray—a product designed to revolutionize men’s personal grooming in Sri Lanka. With a clear focus on sports, fitness, and an active lifestyle, this high-energy fragrance brand is set to appeal to the modern Sri Lankan man who lives life on the move.

Unveiled at a special event attended by key stakeholders and company leaders, the O3 Deo Spray brings a new dimension to men’s grooming with its long-lasting, dynamic fragrance crafted for performance and style. With bold notes that promise freshness throughout the day, it’s made for those who train, compete, and conquer life with confidence.

“We saw a need in the market for grooming products that truly reflect the energy and ambition of today’s youth,” said Roni Chacko, CEO of ICL Brands. “O3 is more than a deo—it’s a lifestyle product for men who push boundaries.”

Echoing this sentiment, Suresh Srinivasan, Group CEO of the Capital Maharaja Group, noted, “O3 has always represented bold energy. With the launch of this new deo spray, we’re reaffirming our commitment to enhancing the lifestyles of young Sri Lankans who are driven by action and adventure.”

As sports and fitness continue to shape the aspirations of the younger generation, O3 Deo Spray steps in as a grooming essential for men who want to stay fresh, confident, and ready for anything.

Left to right  Mr.Shajeethan Athmarajan
Head of Supply Chain & Demand Planning – ICL Brands, Mr..Manish Kumar 
Director R&D , Factory – ICL Brands , Mr.Prasad Jayathilaka 
Director Finance – ICL Brands, Mr.Roni Chacko 
CEO – ICL Brands, Mr. Suresh Srinivasan Group CEO – Capital Maharaja Group, Ms. Selonica Perumal Director Marketing – ICL Brands, Mr.Krishnatha Gunarathna
Director Sales – ICL Brands, Mr. Shiral Mendis 
Head of Business Development, Mr.Shantha Hadapangoda
National Sales Manager – ICL Brands, Mr.Rasantha Madawala Head Of Procurement 
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Vaibhav Suryavanshi: 14-Year-Old Prodigy Sets T20 Cricket Ablaze with Record-Breaking IPL Century

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In a historic display of talent and composure, 14-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi etched his name into cricketing history by becoming the youngest centurion in men’s T20 cricket. Representing Rajasthan Royals in the IPL 2025, Suryavanshi delivered a scintillating 101 off just 38 balls against Gujarat Titans, showcasing a blend of fearless aggression and mature shot selection.

Opening the innings alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal, the duo forged a formidable 166-run partnership, propelling Rajasthan Royals to a commanding eight-wicket victory while chasing a daunting target of 210. Suryavanshi’s innings was punctuated with 11 towering sixes and 7 boundaries, reflecting a strike rate of 265.78.

This remarkable feat not only made him the youngest to score a T20 century but also registered the fastest IPL century by an Indian, surpassing Yusuf Pathan’s previous record.  His performance drew accolades from cricketing legends, with Sachin Tendulkar and Yuvraj Singh lauding his exceptional talent and temperament.

Hailing from Bihar, Suryavanshi’s cricketing journey has been meteoric. He made his first-class debut in the Ranji Trophy at just 12 and was signed by Rajasthan Royals for INR 1.1 crore ahead of the IPL 2025 season.  His rapid ascent underscores the depth of cricketing talent emerging from India’s grassroots.

As Rajasthan Royals strive to climb the IPL standings, Suryavanshi’s emergence offers a beacon of hope and a glimpse into the future of Indian cricket. His blend of youthful exuberance and cricketing acumen promises an exciting journey ahead for fans and the sport alike.

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Azharuddin Calls for Complete Cricket Boycott of Pakistan Following Pahalgam Tragedy

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Former Indian cricket captain Mohammad Azharuddin has sparked renewed debate over the future of cricket ties between India and Pakistan by calling for a complete boycott following the recent terror attacks in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir.

Azharuddin, speaking at a public event in Mumbai, stated that India should not only continue to refrain from participating in bilateral cricket series with Pakistan but should also withdraw from all matches involving Pakistan in ICC and ACC tournaments. His remarks come amidst growing public outrage and national mourning after the Pahalgam attack, which claimed several innocent lives.

“This is not just about cricket. When such horrific incidents take place, they demand a strong, symbolic stand. Sports cannot be insulated from the pain of a nation,” Azharuddin said. He added that while cricket has always been a unifying sport, it cannot be played in the backdrop of terrorism and national grief.

The former skipper was attending the inauguration of a new Orthopaedics and Joint Care unit at Nanavati Hospital in Mumbai, where he also took a moment to appreciate the BCCI’s gesture of having players wear black armbands in IPL matches to honour the victims. He noted that while suspending the IPL was not feasible at this stage, such symbolic acts of remembrance are important in showing solidarity.

Azharuddin’s firm stance has added weight to a growing call within India to separate sports from diplomacy, especially in times of heightened political and emotional tension. His comments are expected to reignite conversations around the role of cricket in international relations and the responsibilities of sports bodies in times of national crisis.

As tensions remain high, all eyes are now on the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the Indian government for any potential policy shifts ahead of upcoming international fixtures involving Pakistan.

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